The Pays d'Othe Cider Trail (Aube, Yonne)

This cider trail, starting in Saint-Mards-en-Othe, winds through a rolling landscape where vast deciduous forests alternate with traditional apple orchards, the cornerstones of an age-old cider-making tradition. Passing through Maraye-en-Othe and Eaux-Puiseaux, hikers discover an authentic rural heritage, marked by half-timbered churches and old cider presses that bear witness to the richness of this terroir. In Vosnon and Nogent-en-Othe, nature reclaims its territory with sunken lanes bordered by hedgerows, havens for preserved biodiversity. This route, a true link between forestry history and farming traditions, invites leisurely strolls as much as tasting. It's a sensory hike where the murmur of springs and the changing colors of the hills celebrate the gentle pace of life in a lesser-known Champagne region.

Straddling the Aube and Yonne departments, the Pays d'Othe is a hidden gem where vast deciduous forests intertwine with chalky hills. This green lung, located at the gateway to Champagne, is distinguished by its cider-making heritage, with orchards shaping bucolic and colorful landscapes. History is etched in the typical brick and flint architecture, as well as in the churches with their remarkable 16th-century stained-glass windows. Nature reigns supreme here, offering hikers shaded trails through the national forest, a haven for protected wildlife. Between the medieval market halls of Ervy-le-Châtel and the crystal-clear springs that irrigate the valleys, absolute tranquility prevails.

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